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More on this product: Features | Editorial Review | Description
Customer Reviews of Innova Stainless Steel 8-Quart Pressure Cooker with Steamer Insert and Bonus Lid
Customer Rating:   Summary: Buy at your own risk Comment: I purchased this pressure cooker approximately 7 months ago. When I recently went to use it (after many successful and enjoyable occaisons) I found the pot had cracked about 8 times in a vertical fashion around the lip. I have since found out that the maker (Innova) is not longer in business and the company that has taken over their product line (Kinetic) will not honor the 3 year warranty--in fact, they have not responded to any commnications I have tried. It appears I will have to chalk this wasted $100+ to experience and try to buy another pressure cooker from a more reliable company. Customer Rating: Summary: I'm FURIOUS!! Comment: At myself, for not buying a pressure cooker sooner. I love this pot!!! I've used it at least three times a week since I bought it. It makes outrageous chili, beef stew, and tomato "gravy" (aka pasta sauce if you're not Italian-American). It is very easy to use and clean. I had never used a pressure cooker & was a little worried about safety, but my first use ended those fears. It's easy to tell if the lid's properly locked, and obvious when the pot's up to pressure or when all pressure has been released (I do find it's easier to just tilt the weight mechanism to release, instead of holding down the button). I'm really looking forward to next summer when I can do some canning! Customer Rating: Summary: In all Fairness Comment: An earlier review stated that this pan did not recieve any awards and that the American Culinary Institute does not exist. Actually, both statements are false. If you don't believe me, then check the websites for yourself. The American Culinary Institute can be found at http://www.qii.org and for reference on the actual award, might I suggest these websites: http://www.qualitykitchen.com/innovapressurecooker.htm , http://store.yahoo.com/dreamkitchen/in6qtprescoo.html , or one of the other 63 sites that were listed when I typed in a search on Altavista.com I think it is only fair to get the facts straight about this particular piece of cookware. I've cooked with this pan for over a decade and it has never given me one minute of trouble. I bought one for my mother 6 years ago and will be purchasing another for my sister as a wedding present. It's a strong, durable, easy to operate, and safe pan to use. There are many improvements from the old fashioned canners and pressure cookers that I grew up with. Veteran chefs will remember when pressure cookers had no safety features like pop-up valves, a blow out seal (if you overheat or improperly seal the pan), and a steam release button - all of which are found in this model. You nearly risked life and limb when you had to manually lift the pressure weight to slowly release steam. Let's also not forget what happened if you weren't paying close attention to the pressure gauge. You learned that your mistake would cost time and money since you had to send your entire lid back to the manufacturer to have a whole new pressure release valve installed. With this pressure cooker, no one need ever face the trials and tribulations that used to accompany pressure cookers. For the average home user - especially those who have never used a pressure cooker before, this is an incredible bargain that is easy to use, safe, and a long-term performer. It deserves a fair review and the credit it is due. Customer Rating: Summary: 2+ dishes in the time for one Comment: In short, this is an excellent, practical, mid-level pressure cooker. Because of its fast cooking and ease of multitasking with a pressure cooker, I can comfortably cook 2 to 4 dishes in the time I used to prepare just one dish. This pressure cooker is a jiggle-top model that makes soft hiss noise while cooking. While there are some minor inconveniences, this cooker is just as good as any other pressure cooker of comparable specs. The pressure goes up to legitimate 15 psi unlike some inferior products going only to 10-13 psi. The pot is made from stainless steel with aluminum bottom clad. This means that the heat is evenly distributed across the bottom, and the cooking can be done at the standard 15 psi. Lower maximum pressure means longer cooking time. The pressure (5, 10, 15 psi) is adjustable, but this is done by changing the configuration of the jiggling weight. This is of no inconvenience to me because I use it at 15 psi all the time. Some of the expensive models can change the pressure by turning the dial, but I wonder what is the actual utility for that feature. Like all modern pressure cookers, the lid locks in by bayonet mechanism, not screw mount mechanism. So it's easy to tell when the lid is not locked properly. But I find this bayonet lid is not the easiest I've used. It takes a bit of getting used to. With all the safety features and well designed pressure releasing mechanism, I feel that this pressure cooker is very safe to operate with ordinary precaution. The pressure indicator pops up when there is pressure in the pot. However, this indicator is pretty much all-or-nothing indicator and the pressure cannot be estimated from the length of the part of the indicator that sticks out. However, you can tell when the pressure reaches the nominal 15 psi because of the hiss noise and rocking weight. After all, this pressure cooker is a very usable full-spec unit, though it doesn't provide the full convenience features found in models that are 2x more expensive. I think this is a very sensible buy. I initially thought that this cooker was too big for me. But if I were to buy one now, after using this for a few days, I would go for a bigger one listed at a few more dollars. Why? It's because, with a suitable wire rack, two dishes can be cooked together. For example, a soup can be cooked in the bottom, and rice can be cooked in a Pyrex or earthware bowl supported by a wire rack. Or stew in the bottom, steamed potato on top. As long as the food cooked in the bottom has some water, something else can be steamed in the same pot! Customer Rating: Summary: Delighted Comment: Here are the features I wanted in a pressure cooker and for which I chose the Innova: protected thick aluminum base for even heat distribution, easy quick pressure release, extra lid for regular cooking, long handle with opposite helper handle, steamer basket insert for vegetables and pasta, and pressure regular with alternative pressure settings. I'm totally delighted with this cooker. Easy to clean and use, looks beautiful. No problems with sticking foods. And all the things they say about pressure cooking seem to be true. Pick up Lorna Sass `Complete Vegetarian Kitchen': great book for using the pressure cooker. Almost all of the recipes I've tried have garnered rave reviews from family and friends. The quick release is important for many recipes, but holding the button long gets to be a drag; so after venting with the button a moment I just tip the regulator on top to vent the rest while doing something else. At first I was a surprised to discover it was a jiggle-top model which I hadn't expected. Lorna Sass, in her `Great Vegetarian Cooking Under Pressure' (great book!) says the new generation of stationary pressure regulator cookers `provide a number of advantages worth considering', but she does not elaborate. So I decided to try it anyway and I must say I am delighted. After several weeks of regular cooking, I have yet to find any reason to question this jiggle-top. Maybe I don't know what I'm missing, but I would have to pay double for a WMF or Kuhn-Rikon (which some say is not easy to regulate) to find out, and trying to find information about the Magefesa seems to be a joke - by website or by phone. I could find no confirming information that the Fagor has the aluminum sandwiched base for even heat distribution. So the Innova seemed the best value for meeting my wish list. Some of the Sass recipes have notes for jiggle-top cookers like adding a tablespoon of oil when cooking some grains to control foaming and prevent clogging the regulator, and adding a little more water to compensate for escaping steam. But these seem very minor issues to me. The rocking hiss of the regulator is an excellent signal. I can tell from the sound when the pressure is up or needs adjusting without having to go look at a gage. When the pressure is right, it has a gentile, quiet rock. I've noticed the pressure gradually builds after cooking a while and even the lowest setting becomes too high for some burners on my stove. I did find the `American Culinary Institute' in contention in another review; it seems they were sued by Culinary Institute of America to protect its name, which could explain why information about the `Gold Medal Awards' program is now hard to find. (..) So I don't think that one-star review is merited. The review complaining of the gasket blowing is a serious issue, but I've had no problems at all. All in all, I'm totally happy with my Innova; I wonder what I may be missing if I were willing to pay twice as much, but I don't seem to be willing to spend that much to find out. More Reviews 8-Quart Stainless Steel Pressure Cooker with Bonus Lid Features: * 18/10 Stainless Steel Construction- Heavy-gauge 18/10 stainless steel body. Mirror finish inside and out for easy cleaning and durability. Stay cool handles. * Thick Aluminum Clad Bottom- Aluminum disc provides even, efficient heat distribution and it's protected by a 18/10 stainless steel protector plate. * Push Button Steam Release- Simply press the button and steam is quickly and safely released away from your hand, no need to run cooker under cold water. * Pop-up Pressure Indicator- Pop-up Indicator raises to indicate when there is pressure in the cooker, and drops when the pressure is released. * 5/10/15 Pound Pressure Regulator- 3 piece regulator operates at either 5, 10, or 15 pounds per square inch, to accommodate all recipes. Unique filter inside lid helps prevent clogging. * Includes a canner insert and a steamer insert. Model: 42008 
Choosing Appliance -> Grater In our opinion, the old fashioned box graters work the best since they are sturdy and offer several different grating sizes. Choosing Appliance -> Salad spinner While some may consider this a bit on the gadgety side, I think it is a must as dressings do not stick to water-logged salad greens. Innova Stainless Steel 8-Quart Pressure Cooker with Steamer Insert and Bonus Lid
Tips How to Maintain Appliance -> Hob and grill cooking Modern appliances reach higher temperatures quicker - and often hold heat longer. To avoid worktop damage, follow both the appliance manufacturers instructions and these rules:
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